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AFME FOUNDATION
The AFME Foundation is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization that produces the Albuquerque Film & Music Experience (AFMX). AFME Foundation formed to make a difference in our collective community during AFMX and through year-round programming.
Our purpose is to provide opportunities for future generations while increasing exposure and economic impact for the City of Albuquerque and the State of New Mexico. Each year, we bring filmmakers, musicians, artists, and visionaries together to celebrate the art of storytelling and collaborate into the future.
The foundation provides support to students and up-and-coming New Mexico filmmakers, artists, and musicians who, otherwise, may never pursue their college education or realize their artistic dreams. With so many talented students of the arts in the Land of Enchantment, our goal is to offer assistance in earning degrees in their respective fields of study, further their careers, and keep them, and their talents, right here in New Mexico.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
KIRA SIPLER
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Kira passion for storytelling ignites both on-screen and behind the scenes. Raised in New Mexico, this filmmaker crafts award-winning content through her company, Jouska Road Productions. Sipler's passion for the film industry led her to take on critical roles in prominent organizations. In 2020, Sipler joined AFMX as its Volunteer Coordinator, then advanced to its Director of Operations, navigating projects from drive-in movies, events, and virtual and live festivals. As the Volunteer and Logistics Director for the Seattle Film Summit, she played a pivotal role in revamping operations, resulting in a staggering reach of over 40,000 targeted participants for festival operations and doubling attendance from each prior year.
Behind the scenes, Sipler continues to work as a Screenwriter, Assistant Director, Producer and Director. She thrives in the collaborative energy of film sets, leaving impactful legacies like the viral shorts "Period,” with over 7 million views, and “Jameson,” with over 4 million views. Sipler and her writing partner were two of the first ten writers out of 200 entries admitted into the Inaugural New Mexico Film Office New Voices program, presented by Stowe Story Labs in 2022. Her first screenplay, “Autumn Waltz,” won numerous awards and was distributed by Amazon Prime. Sipler attended Albuquerque High School and received her Bachelor of Arts in Fine Arts from the University of New Mexico.
Kira passion for storytelling ignites both on-screen and behind the scenes. Raised in New Mexico, this filmmaker crafts award-winning content through her company, Jouska Road Productions. Sipler's passion for the film industry led her to take on critical roles in prominent organizations. In 2020, Sipler joined AFMX as its Volunteer Coordinator, then advanced to its Director of Operations, navigating projects from drive-in movies, events, and virtual and live festivals. As the Volunteer and Logistics Director for the Seattle Film Summit, she played a pivotal role in revamping operations, resulting in a staggering reach of over 40,000 targeted participants for festival operations and doubling attendance from each prior year.
Behind the scenes, Sipler continues to work as a Screenwriter, Assistant Director, Producer and Director. She thrives in the collaborative energy of film sets, leaving impactful legacies like the viral shorts "Period,” with over 7 million views, and “Jameson,” with over 4 million views. Sipler and her writing partner were two of the first ten writers out of 200 entries admitted into the Inaugural New Mexico Film Office New Voices program, presented by Stowe Story Labs in 2022. Her first screenplay, “Autumn Waltz,” won numerous awards and was distributed by Amazon Prime. Sipler attended Albuquerque High School and received her Bachelor of Arts in Fine Arts from the University of New Mexico.
IVAN WIENER
FOUNDER & PAST EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
BOARD MEMBER
With over 30 years of experience in hospitality and entertainment, and 10 years serving as a film festival executive producer, Ivan has become a key resource and go-to person in New Mexico for A-list talent, producers, directors, and other clients in the film and entertainment industry. He takes great pride in providing a platform for economic growth and opportunities for students as Executive Director of the Albuquerque Film & Music Experience. He also serves as a Board member of the AFME Foundation.
Ivan owns Reel Solutions, one of the premier concierge and consulting services in New Mexico. Reel Solutions has worked with some of the biggest names in film and television as it is the only company authorized to provide airport meet and greet services at Albuquerque International Airport. These services give a great first and last impression of client experiences in the Land of Enchantment.
Ivan has been a producer on feature films, short films, television shows, documentaries, and commercials. Ivan is the former Head Concierge of the historic Watergate Hotel in Washington, D.C., and a former personal assistant to the late actor Dennis Hopper.
BOARD MEMBER
With over 30 years of experience in hospitality and entertainment, and 10 years serving as a film festival executive producer, Ivan has become a key resource and go-to person in New Mexico for A-list talent, producers, directors, and other clients in the film and entertainment industry. He takes great pride in providing a platform for economic growth and opportunities for students as Executive Director of the Albuquerque Film & Music Experience. He also serves as a Board member of the AFME Foundation.
Ivan owns Reel Solutions, one of the premier concierge and consulting services in New Mexico. Reel Solutions has worked with some of the biggest names in film and television as it is the only company authorized to provide airport meet and greet services at Albuquerque International Airport. These services give a great first and last impression of client experiences in the Land of Enchantment.
Ivan has been a producer on feature films, short films, television shows, documentaries, and commercials. Ivan is the former Head Concierge of the historic Watergate Hotel in Washington, D.C., and a former personal assistant to the late actor Dennis Hopper.
LARRY SCHWARTZ
PRESIDENT
Larry is President of the Board and has served on the Foundation’s Board of Directors since its inception. He serves as Vice President – Investments for Wells Fargo Advisors. Larry graduated from the University of New Mexico in 1985 and has been a resident of New Mexico for 37 years. As a businessman, Schwartz has sat on both sides of the table, as a corporate executive and board member of several non-profits. He is a tenor saxophone player and has a passion for bringing people together for a co-creative community.
AFMX is proud to have Larry’s experience and dedication to growth in the community as part of its program.
Larry is President of the Board and has served on the Foundation’s Board of Directors since its inception. He serves as Vice President – Investments for Wells Fargo Advisors. Larry graduated from the University of New Mexico in 1985 and has been a resident of New Mexico for 37 years. As a businessman, Schwartz has sat on both sides of the table, as a corporate executive and board member of several non-profits. He is a tenor saxophone player and has a passion for bringing people together for a co-creative community.
AFMX is proud to have Larry’s experience and dedication to growth in the community as part of its program.
JEFF BAKER
BOARD SECRETARY
Jeff is a retired lawyer, a State of New Mexico Ethics Commissioner, a member of the board of the Rocky Mountain Region of the Anti-Defamation League, and a past member of multiple commissions involving attorney conduct and misconduct.
Jeff is a retired lawyer, a State of New Mexico Ethics Commissioner, a member of the board of the Rocky Mountain Region of the Anti-Defamation League, and a past member of multiple commissions involving attorney conduct and misconduct.
MARY HAGEMANN
BOARD TREASURER
Mary is the Finance Director at Amy Biehl Charter High School. She is a graduate of the University of New Mexico in Business.
Mary is the Finance Director at Amy Biehl Charter High School. She is a graduate of the University of New Mexico in Business.
DR. STEPHANIE BECKER
BOARD MEMBER
Stephanie Becker, Ph.D. is the Executive Director and Superintendent of Amy Biehl High School. She has been part of the faculty at ABHS for 14 years.
Additionally, for the past 15 years, she has been an adjunct faculty member in the Department of Film and Digital Arts at the University of New Mexico. Her specialty is Latinx Film studies, but her class offerings vary focusing on auteurs with investigations in the cinema of Pedro Almodovar to the Coen Brothers, David Lynch, and Wes Anderson.
She is passionate about sharing film and music experiences with the youth of New Mexico as they explore the myriad of burgeoning career offerings available in the state.
Stephanie Becker, Ph.D. is the Executive Director and Superintendent of Amy Biehl High School. She has been part of the faculty at ABHS for 14 years.
Additionally, for the past 15 years, she has been an adjunct faculty member in the Department of Film and Digital Arts at the University of New Mexico. Her specialty is Latinx Film studies, but her class offerings vary focusing on auteurs with investigations in the cinema of Pedro Almodovar to the Coen Brothers, David Lynch, and Wes Anderson.
She is passionate about sharing film and music experiences with the youth of New Mexico as they explore the myriad of burgeoning career offerings available in the state.
EMILIE DE ANGELIS
BOARD MEMBER
Emilie has helped nonprofits in the arts, culture, and education fields achieve transformative ambitions for more than 25 years.
She’s managed capital campaigns ranging from $2.5 million to $100+ million most of her career, specializing in major gifts strategy for the Modern Wing expansion at the Art Institute of Chicago, Steppenwolf Theatre's expansion, and multiple endowment campaigns.
A fourth-generation New Mexican, she moved back home to Albuquerque with her husband and son in 2016 to reunite with family and rediscover sunshine. Her consulting work helps clients locally and nationally.
She’s the most recent Past Chair of the City of Albuquerque’s Arts Board, appointed by Mayor Tim Keller, and Vice Chairs the Board at Escuela del Sol Montessori and Harwood Art Center.
Emilie has helped nonprofits in the arts, culture, and education fields achieve transformative ambitions for more than 25 years.
She’s managed capital campaigns ranging from $2.5 million to $100+ million most of her career, specializing in major gifts strategy for the Modern Wing expansion at the Art Institute of Chicago, Steppenwolf Theatre's expansion, and multiple endowment campaigns.
A fourth-generation New Mexican, she moved back home to Albuquerque with her husband and son in 2016 to reunite with family and rediscover sunshine. Her consulting work helps clients locally and nationally.
She’s the most recent Past Chair of the City of Albuquerque’s Arts Board, appointed by Mayor Tim Keller, and Vice Chairs the Board at Escuela del Sol Montessori and Harwood Art Center.
JONATHAN NAGEL
BOARD MEMBER
Albuquerque native Jonathan Nagel studied at the University of Denver (BA 03’), creating short films and working in broadcast production. He was fortunate to meet some of his childhood heroes, Ray Harryhausen and Syd Mead while attending a visual effects conference in Marin County California, which planted the seeds of his career and future endeavors. This experience cemented the idea that playing, creating, and visualizing one's imagination through the lens of design for the rest of your life can be a career choice.
Jonathan pursued a career in high-tech software for some of the top start-ups of the last decade including Anark Corporation (Acquired by Nvidia), AI.Implant (Acquired by Presagis), Scaleform Corp (Acquired by Autodesk and team behind Oculus), and Ready At Dawn Studios (Top independent game developer behind PSP: God of War: Ghost of Sparta & recently acquired by Meta).
In 2014, Jonathan pursued his passion for visual arts & design by attending the Art Center College of Design, graduating with a degree in Illustration Design with an emphasis on Entertainment Arts in 2018.
Since 2018 Jonathan has been freelance designing, making art, and short films. One recent film made in 2022, “Infinite Simulations” has won several film festival awards.
Albuquerque native Jonathan Nagel studied at the University of Denver (BA 03’), creating short films and working in broadcast production. He was fortunate to meet some of his childhood heroes, Ray Harryhausen and Syd Mead while attending a visual effects conference in Marin County California, which planted the seeds of his career and future endeavors. This experience cemented the idea that playing, creating, and visualizing one's imagination through the lens of design for the rest of your life can be a career choice.
Jonathan pursued a career in high-tech software for some of the top start-ups of the last decade including Anark Corporation (Acquired by Nvidia), AI.Implant (Acquired by Presagis), Scaleform Corp (Acquired by Autodesk and team behind Oculus), and Ready At Dawn Studios (Top independent game developer behind PSP: God of War: Ghost of Sparta & recently acquired by Meta).
In 2014, Jonathan pursued his passion for visual arts & design by attending the Art Center College of Design, graduating with a degree in Illustration Design with an emphasis on Entertainment Arts in 2018.
Since 2018 Jonathan has been freelance designing, making art, and short films. One recent film made in 2022, “Infinite Simulations” has won several film festival awards.
ADVISORY BOARD
CHAD BRUMMETT
Chad Brummett is the host and segment producer for "New Mexico Living" and "Legendary New Mexico" on Fox New Mexico and KRQE. He is a native New Mexican who has worked on the stage and screen before transitioning to broadcast. He currently serves on the Board of Governors for the Rocky Mountain Emmys and has won numerous awards for his work including three Emmys and four Excellence In Broadcasting awards including multimedia journalist of the year.
CAROL CALATO
Carol Calato is President of Calato Manufacturing / Regal Tip, manufacturer of drumsticks, drum brushes and percussion accessories.
She is a former Chairwoman of the Jazz Festival Board of Directors and has volunteered for the festival for the past thirteen years.
Carol has served as a board member on the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM), Youngstown Yacht Club and Niagara Falls Area Chamber of Commerce. She has also served on Governor Mario Cuomo’s World Trade Council.
She is a former Chairwoman of the Jazz Festival Board of Directors and has volunteered for the festival for the past thirteen years.
Carol has served as a board member on the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM), Youngstown Yacht Club and Niagara Falls Area Chamber of Commerce. She has also served on Governor Mario Cuomo’s World Trade Council.
KAREN CRISWELL
As Vice-President of Operations for DreamWorks Studios Karen strategically and operationally supported the teams behind a slate of interactive games, music development deals, narrative films and television productions that occurred during her 18-yr. tenure. Her time at the studio included three “Best Picture” Oscars for "American Beauty", "Gladiator" and "A Beautiful Mind". Karen left the studio in 2014 to focus on independent production consulting and creative work in documentary, film, and emerging new media. Her client list includes: GNOMON-School of Visual Effects, Games, & Animation; Kilograph - architectural visualization company and eOne, international production company.
SUZANNE DIFFINE
Suzanne Diffiné is an educator. Whether she is teaching eighth grade English, developing curricula, instructing Pilates classes, writing children’s books, or persuading funders to support restoration of Buffalo’s historic Colored Musicians Club, she is constantly teaching and learning.
For thirty years, Suzanne inspired 7th and 8th graders in her English classes with quirky lessons and unconventional teaching techniques. Her students created a poetry bedroom featuring furniture adorned with lines of their verse. They hosted beat poetry slams, graffitied the walls of her classroom with beatnik phrases, cut CDs of their original songs, and created poetry clothing. These projects found a home in renowned art galleries such as Burchfield Penney Art Center and S.U.N.Y. Buffalo’s Anderson Gallery. The exhibits were featured in The Buffalo News, Surface Design Journal, and local cable stations, earning their teacher recognition multiple times in Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers, Who’s Who of American Women, Who’s Who in America, and Who’s Who in the World.
After retirement from teaching, Suzanne opened a classical Pilates studio in Boca Raton, Florida. Twenty-five years of experience teaching exercise classes and co-chairing fitness conferences prepared her for this new chapter of her life. As International Pilates Allegro Master Trainer for Bally Total Fitness Corporation, she mentored Pilates trainers throughout the U.S. and Canada. As owner/trainer of Pilates Rx, Suzanne helped clients improve athletic performance, rehab from injuries, correct muscular imbalances, and address age-related issues. She continued her efforts to educate instructors, organizing master classes in South Florida with renowned Pilates trainers and co-editing Voices of Classical Pilates and Voices of Classical Pilates II: Men’s Work.
In 2019, her writing skills took her in a new direction. As a grant writer for Buffalo’s Colored Musicians Club, she secured funding for historic preservation and staffing. She is currently working on a series of children’s books about world geography and culture.
Suzanne has always been active in the arts, acting as an administrator at the Chautauqua School of Dance, Special Events Coordinator at the Musicians’ Institute of West Los Angeles, and event promoter at Artpark. From 1996-2017, she held the position of student coordinator at the Manchester Music Festival, where she oversaw the Young Artists Program, supervised Music Education Weeks, created an operations manual, secured performance opportunities for young artists, and organized fundraisers. Former chair of Dance Special’s fundraising committee and American Academy Ballet Guild’s corporate sponsorship committee, she is currently a member of the Albright Knox Art Gallery, Buffalo-Niagara Children’s Writers & Illustrators, Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, The Manuscript Academy, and Just Buffalo Literary Center. Suzanne holds a B.A. in English and an M.A. in humanities from S.U.N.Y. Buffalo, as well as a certificate in creative problem solving from Buffalo State College.
For thirty years, Suzanne inspired 7th and 8th graders in her English classes with quirky lessons and unconventional teaching techniques. Her students created a poetry bedroom featuring furniture adorned with lines of their verse. They hosted beat poetry slams, graffitied the walls of her classroom with beatnik phrases, cut CDs of their original songs, and created poetry clothing. These projects found a home in renowned art galleries such as Burchfield Penney Art Center and S.U.N.Y. Buffalo’s Anderson Gallery. The exhibits were featured in The Buffalo News, Surface Design Journal, and local cable stations, earning their teacher recognition multiple times in Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers, Who’s Who of American Women, Who’s Who in America, and Who’s Who in the World.
After retirement from teaching, Suzanne opened a classical Pilates studio in Boca Raton, Florida. Twenty-five years of experience teaching exercise classes and co-chairing fitness conferences prepared her for this new chapter of her life. As International Pilates Allegro Master Trainer for Bally Total Fitness Corporation, she mentored Pilates trainers throughout the U.S. and Canada. As owner/trainer of Pilates Rx, Suzanne helped clients improve athletic performance, rehab from injuries, correct muscular imbalances, and address age-related issues. She continued her efforts to educate instructors, organizing master classes in South Florida with renowned Pilates trainers and co-editing Voices of Classical Pilates and Voices of Classical Pilates II: Men’s Work.
In 2019, her writing skills took her in a new direction. As a grant writer for Buffalo’s Colored Musicians Club, she secured funding for historic preservation and staffing. She is currently working on a series of children’s books about world geography and culture.
Suzanne has always been active in the arts, acting as an administrator at the Chautauqua School of Dance, Special Events Coordinator at the Musicians’ Institute of West Los Angeles, and event promoter at Artpark. From 1996-2017, she held the position of student coordinator at the Manchester Music Festival, where she oversaw the Young Artists Program, supervised Music Education Weeks, created an operations manual, secured performance opportunities for young artists, and organized fundraisers. Former chair of Dance Special’s fundraising committee and American Academy Ballet Guild’s corporate sponsorship committee, she is currently a member of the Albright Knox Art Gallery, Buffalo-Niagara Children’s Writers & Illustrators, Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, The Manuscript Academy, and Just Buffalo Literary Center. Suzanne holds a B.A. in English and an M.A. in humanities from S.U.N.Y. Buffalo, as well as a certificate in creative problem solving from Buffalo State College.
NATHAN EAST
Grammy-nominated bassist Nathan East, credited on more than 2,000 recordings is recognized as one of the most recorded musicians in music. He is a founding member of contemporary jazz supergroup Fourplay with Bob James, Lee Ritenour & Harvey Mason. East has performed and collaborated with Eric Clapton, BB King, Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Dave Grusin, George Harrison, Ringo, Quincy Jones, Toto & Daft Punk with Nathan's bass line driving the worldwide hit, "Get Lucky". East co-wrote "Easy Lover" with Phil Collins & Philip Bailey earning him an MTV Video Award.
In 2014, Nathan released his debut album on the Yamaha Entertainment Group label which went to #1 on the Billboard Jazz Charts and won a Grammy nomination for Best Contemporary Instrumental Album. His second solo album "Reverence" (2017) also reached #1 on the Billboard Jazz & Contemporary Jazz charts.
East, a graduate of the University of California - San Diego with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music, was honored by The United States Congress with a Congressional Record for his contribution to the worldwide music community.
Nathan’s award-winning documentary “For The Record” was featured at AFME in 2016 where he received the prestigious AFME Music Award.
For more info go to: www.nathaneast.com
In 2014, Nathan released his debut album on the Yamaha Entertainment Group label which went to #1 on the Billboard Jazz Charts and won a Grammy nomination for Best Contemporary Instrumental Album. His second solo album "Reverence" (2017) also reached #1 on the Billboard Jazz & Contemporary Jazz charts.
East, a graduate of the University of California - San Diego with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music, was honored by The United States Congress with a Congressional Record for his contribution to the worldwide music community.
Nathan’s award-winning documentary “For The Record” was featured at AFME in 2016 where he received the prestigious AFME Music Award.
For more info go to: www.nathaneast.com
AUGUSTA MYERS
Augusta Myers is well-known in Albuquerque as a former Anchorwoman/Reporter for the ABC affiliate channel 7 for 16-years. She won several awards for her coverage of current events both locally and nationally.
She currently works as Communications Manager for the Mid Region Council of Governments, where much of the federal funds flow for transportation planning and workforce development in Central New Mexico. Augusta also serves as the spokesperson for the state's only commuter rail system - the New Mexico Rail Runner Express.
Augusta is passionate about her voice-over work and continues to narrate and appear in various videos a natural lover of the written and spoken word.
She currently works as Communications Manager for the Mid Region Council of Governments, where much of the federal funds flow for transportation planning and workforce development in Central New Mexico. Augusta also serves as the spokesperson for the state's only commuter rail system - the New Mexico Rail Runner Express.
Augusta is passionate about her voice-over work and continues to narrate and appear in various videos a natural lover of the written and spoken word.
BASS REEVES
When pushed, SB Reeves will reluctantly and modestly tell you that since he was 16 and for the past 55 years, he published a great number of the over 500 songs he has composed. Over the years, he is recognized as both a thinker and a doer.
In the early 1970s, he was awarded a Ford Foundation Executive Leadership Doctoral Fellowship at the age of 21 - a fellowship customarily given to more mature and seasoned professionals. When he asked why he was chosen, he was told by a member of the selection committee that he demonstrated leadership qualities way before his time and was half jokingly told that he was 21 going on 70 for the way he had conducted himself in the rigorous interview process.
In 1976 a move to Los Angeles quickly changed his life. In a simple twist of fate he was offered a job writing for Goodson/Todman produced game shows and did so for a number of years. Subsequently, his curious nature and entrepreneurial spirit involved him in a variety of engagements ranging from forming a small record label, developing film projects, promoting the Moscow Circus, and being an Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year Finalist twice.
For the past 20 years, he has concentrated mainly on the process of song-writing and performing and has played everywhere form small establishments to the Kennedy Center For the Performing Arts.
He also continues to develop the Character, Dr Einstein Krinkle(R) (Santa Claus' Personal Doctor(R)) who appears when called upon to tell his tales to children of all ages.
In the early 1970s, he was awarded a Ford Foundation Executive Leadership Doctoral Fellowship at the age of 21 - a fellowship customarily given to more mature and seasoned professionals. When he asked why he was chosen, he was told by a member of the selection committee that he demonstrated leadership qualities way before his time and was half jokingly told that he was 21 going on 70 for the way he had conducted himself in the rigorous interview process.
In 1976 a move to Los Angeles quickly changed his life. In a simple twist of fate he was offered a job writing for Goodson/Todman produced game shows and did so for a number of years. Subsequently, his curious nature and entrepreneurial spirit involved him in a variety of engagements ranging from forming a small record label, developing film projects, promoting the Moscow Circus, and being an Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year Finalist twice.
For the past 20 years, he has concentrated mainly on the process of song-writing and performing and has played everywhere form small establishments to the Kennedy Center For the Performing Arts.
He also continues to develop the Character, Dr Einstein Krinkle(R) (Santa Claus' Personal Doctor(R)) who appears when called upon to tell his tales to children of all ages.
CHRIS SCHUELER
Chris Schueler has created over 100 television programs in the past 25 years that have garnered 27 Emmy® Awards and have been broadcast throughout the country and around the world. Focusing on educational and social issues, Mr. Schueler’s documentaries and video projects have raised public awareness and impacted public policy nationally and internationally with partnerships
ranging from the United Nations to the National Institute of Mental Health and the PBS network to the CBS Network Foundation as well as networks and governments worldwide.
His programs have ranged from global warming solutions to mental health stigma and included topics such as date and domestic violence, teen pregnancy prevention, AIDS, alcohol, gambling addiction and opioid abuse. Most recently, his project “Vaccination from the Misinformation Virus” has broadcast throughout the country on PBS and been an official selection in film festivals worldwide. His projects have broadcast in over 100 domestic markets as well as 35 countries in 8 different languages. In addition to the US, filming locations have included Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Russia, Central America and Africa.
Mr. Schueler includes social marketing and target audience outreach for all his projects involving extensive use of internet and social media venues to address community issues. In addition to investing target audience groups in the production and outreach efforts, each project includes partnerships with non-profit stake holders, government entities and private businesses.
These documentaries and community outreach projects many times include curriculum guides, Town Hall meetings, specialized educational videos, web site components, text messaging, social marketing development and discussion groups. The efforts create a web of community interaction for social change.
Due to the quality of his work, Mr. Schueler is on the Grand Jury for the New York Festivals and the Board of Governors for the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, Rocky Mountain Chapter. Other honors include:
• The Grand Award, Gold, Silver and Bronze Awards at the New York Festivals;
• Two International Iris Awards;
• The National Education Association Award for the Advancement of Learning through Broadcasting;
• Two CBS network awards for Excellence in Community Service;
• Two Service to Children’s Television Awards from the National Association of Broadcasters; and
• The Parents’ Choice Award.
The National Broadcast Association for Community Affairs named Chris Schueler national “Innovator of the Year” for his nationally syndicated, News 101 Project training teenagers to produce news stories for local network affiliates. Schueler uses his model to train journalists around the world in creating social issue documentaries and social media outreach in Asia, the Middle East, Central America and throughout the US.
As a director, Mr. Schueler has worked with Glenn Close, Bryan Cranston, Sam Donaldson, Montel Williams, Ali MacGraw and others.
For more information and to view projects, please visit www.ChristopherProductions.org.
ranging from the United Nations to the National Institute of Mental Health and the PBS network to the CBS Network Foundation as well as networks and governments worldwide.
His programs have ranged from global warming solutions to mental health stigma and included topics such as date and domestic violence, teen pregnancy prevention, AIDS, alcohol, gambling addiction and opioid abuse. Most recently, his project “Vaccination from the Misinformation Virus” has broadcast throughout the country on PBS and been an official selection in film festivals worldwide. His projects have broadcast in over 100 domestic markets as well as 35 countries in 8 different languages. In addition to the US, filming locations have included Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Russia, Central America and Africa.
Mr. Schueler includes social marketing and target audience outreach for all his projects involving extensive use of internet and social media venues to address community issues. In addition to investing target audience groups in the production and outreach efforts, each project includes partnerships with non-profit stake holders, government entities and private businesses.
These documentaries and community outreach projects many times include curriculum guides, Town Hall meetings, specialized educational videos, web site components, text messaging, social marketing development and discussion groups. The efforts create a web of community interaction for social change.
Due to the quality of his work, Mr. Schueler is on the Grand Jury for the New York Festivals and the Board of Governors for the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, Rocky Mountain Chapter. Other honors include:
• The Grand Award, Gold, Silver and Bronze Awards at the New York Festivals;
• Two International Iris Awards;
• The National Education Association Award for the Advancement of Learning through Broadcasting;
• Two CBS network awards for Excellence in Community Service;
• Two Service to Children’s Television Awards from the National Association of Broadcasters; and
• The Parents’ Choice Award.
The National Broadcast Association for Community Affairs named Chris Schueler national “Innovator of the Year” for his nationally syndicated, News 101 Project training teenagers to produce news stories for local network affiliates. Schueler uses his model to train journalists around the world in creating social issue documentaries and social media outreach in Asia, the Middle East, Central America and throughout the US.
As a director, Mr. Schueler has worked with Glenn Close, Bryan Cranston, Sam Donaldson, Montel Williams, Ali MacGraw and others.
For more information and to view projects, please visit www.ChristopherProductions.org.
JAMES STONE
Dr. James Stone is chair of Film and Digital Arts. He has spearheaded the transformation of the department’s curriculum to adapt to film, animation, and gaming industry opportunities. This change has resulted in explosive enrollment, a pipeline of skilled graduates finding well-paid jobs at Netflix and other major companies, and national attention for a department that is now a destination for out-of-state students eager to study and build their network at the heart of a burgeoning digital media scene.
Under Stone’s stewardship, the department instituted The Show, a large-scale real world moviemaking experience with students taking the lead and working alongside industry professionals, and The Mentor Series, an ongoing symposium in which film luminaries offer advice to students and community members on how to find success doing what they love. Stone also helped develop the UNM Sitcom Boot Camp, an immersive, six-week course in sitcom creation taught by Hollywood director Brian Levant. He co-conceived the inaugural “Film and Digital Arts Day” at the School of Engineering, a STEAM seminar bringing together moving image artists with engineering faculty and students. In 2020, he collaborated with colleagues throughout the university on the Sustainable Water Resources Grand Challenge to create animations, podcasts, and short movies explaining key water concepts. Last year, he was PI on a successful PERC grant application that has funded the construction of a state-of-the-art post-production lab at UNM.
Stone’s primary academic interests are in British cinema, American popular culture, horror film, and gender studies. His book America Through a British Lens: Cinematic Portrayals, 1930-2010, is published by McFarland.
Under Stone’s stewardship, the department instituted The Show, a large-scale real world moviemaking experience with students taking the lead and working alongside industry professionals, and The Mentor Series, an ongoing symposium in which film luminaries offer advice to students and community members on how to find success doing what they love. Stone also helped develop the UNM Sitcom Boot Camp, an immersive, six-week course in sitcom creation taught by Hollywood director Brian Levant. He co-conceived the inaugural “Film and Digital Arts Day” at the School of Engineering, a STEAM seminar bringing together moving image artists with engineering faculty and students. In 2020, he collaborated with colleagues throughout the university on the Sustainable Water Resources Grand Challenge to create animations, podcasts, and short movies explaining key water concepts. Last year, he was PI on a successful PERC grant application that has funded the construction of a state-of-the-art post-production lab at UNM.
Stone’s primary academic interests are in British cinema, American popular culture, horror film, and gender studies. His book America Through a British Lens: Cinematic Portrayals, 1930-2010, is published by McFarland.
TRACEY WHITNEY
A former “Raelette” with the legendary Ray Charles, L.A. native Tracey Whitney began performing with her family singing group, The Whitney Family, debuting at the famed nightspot “The Coconut Grove” when she was 11 years old. For the next 15 years her family toured, recorded, did numerous TV shows, performed in Vegas, Tahoe and more before she was tapped to tour with “Brotha’ Ray”. She spent 5 years singing solo in Tokyo, Yokohama and Tokushima Japan before returning to her roots in Los Angeles. Since relocating to Albuquerque in 2012, she’s been thrilling audiences throughout the city with her unique brand of classic jazz and sophisticated soul in some of the city’s most notable venues, including a residency with her show, The Art of Jazz with Tracey Whitney, featuring Sid Fendley on piano, Rodney Bowe on bass and Wayne Johnson on drums, in the Hotel Andaluz’s Casablanca Room, which was crowned “The Best Place for Jazz” in Albuquerque the Magazine. She’s also performed in concert for the Santa Fe Bandstand, St John’s College “Music on the Hill, Route 66 Summerfest, the New Mexico Jazz Workshop’s Women's Voices and Ladies Sing the Blues series at the Albuquerque Museum, as well as her Nancy Wilson tribute “Guess Who I Saw Today” at both the African American Performing Arts Center and the Outpost Performance Space. Tracey has opened concerts for contemporary jazz stars Nathan East, Marc Antoine, Euge Groove, Will Donato, Darren Rahn and Julian Vaughn. Her third CD “Live at the Outpost Performance Space” a New Mexico Music Awards nominee for “Best Vocal Performance.”
Tracey served as president of the Musicians’ Association of Albuquerque, Local 618 of the American Federation of Musicians from Jan 2017-Dec 2023, representing 250 musicians comprising the New Mexico Philharmonic, Santa Fe Symphony, Santa Fe Opera, and El Paso Symphony Orchestra. She is a current member and former president of the Board of Directors of the African American Performing Arts Center Foundation, a voting member of The National Academy of Performing Arts and Sciences (aka The Grammy Awards), a Music Commissioner for the State of New Mexico appointed by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, an AFME Advisory Board member, a Community Advisory Committee member of KHFM Classical Radio, and a jazz vocal instructor at the New Mexico School for the Arts in Santa Fe.
Tracey served as president of the Musicians’ Association of Albuquerque, Local 618 of the American Federation of Musicians from Jan 2017-Dec 2023, representing 250 musicians comprising the New Mexico Philharmonic, Santa Fe Symphony, Santa Fe Opera, and El Paso Symphony Orchestra. She is a current member and former president of the Board of Directors of the African American Performing Arts Center Foundation, a voting member of The National Academy of Performing Arts and Sciences (aka The Grammy Awards), a Music Commissioner for the State of New Mexico appointed by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, an AFME Advisory Board member, a Community Advisory Committee member of KHFM Classical Radio, and a jazz vocal instructor at the New Mexico School for the Arts in Santa Fe.
CHRISTOPHER LOCKHART
Christopher Lockhart is an executive, filmmaker, and educator with 30-plus years of industry experience. He’s read over 60,000 screenplays in his career. As Story Editor at William Morris Endeavor (WME), the world's largest diversified talent agency, he curates film and TV projects for A-list actors such as Denzel Washington. But what's even more impressive is the incredible amount of time he spends guiding up-and-coming screenwriters and filmmakers on pitching and structuring projects for the best chance of success.
Chris got his start at International Creative Management (ICM), where he worked as a script consultant to legendary talent agent Ed Limato, who represented industry giants such as Mel Gibson, Richard Gere, Michelle Pfeiffer, Liam Neeson, and Robert Downey, Jr. Chris later moved to the William Morris Agency, which merged with Endeavor to form WME.
Chris branched off into film producing with the cult horror hit The Collector and its sequel, The Collection, which opened in the top ten American box office. He wrote and produced the award-winning documentary Most Valuable Players, which Oprah Winfrey acquired for her network. He is a co-producer on the upcoming Bron Studio thriller Solitary starring David Oyelowo and is currently in pre-production for Crooked Creek, a neo-noir thriller.
In his spare time, he started the Facebook group “The Inside Pitch,” where he moderates 14,000 creatives and offers daily advice and feedback on the Hollywood script maze. He is a member of the Writers Guild, the Producers Guild, and the Television Academy.
If that’s not enough, he’s lectured around the world on the craft and business of screenwriting and is an adjunct professor at National University’s Professional Screenwriting Program. His writing workshop, “The Inside Pitch,” was filmed for Los Angeles television and earned him an Emmy Award nomination. Chris graduated from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts with an MFA in dramatic writing. He was awarded the school’s Public Service Prize for his dedication to public education.
Chris got his start at International Creative Management (ICM), where he worked as a script consultant to legendary talent agent Ed Limato, who represented industry giants such as Mel Gibson, Richard Gere, Michelle Pfeiffer, Liam Neeson, and Robert Downey, Jr. Chris later moved to the William Morris Agency, which merged with Endeavor to form WME.
Chris branched off into film producing with the cult horror hit The Collector and its sequel, The Collection, which opened in the top ten American box office. He wrote and produced the award-winning documentary Most Valuable Players, which Oprah Winfrey acquired for her network. He is a co-producer on the upcoming Bron Studio thriller Solitary starring David Oyelowo and is currently in pre-production for Crooked Creek, a neo-noir thriller.
In his spare time, he started the Facebook group “The Inside Pitch,” where he moderates 14,000 creatives and offers daily advice and feedback on the Hollywood script maze. He is a member of the Writers Guild, the Producers Guild, and the Television Academy.
If that’s not enough, he’s lectured around the world on the craft and business of screenwriting and is an adjunct professor at National University’s Professional Screenwriting Program. His writing workshop, “The Inside Pitch,” was filmed for Los Angeles television and earned him an Emmy Award nomination. Chris graduated from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts with an MFA in dramatic writing. He was awarded the school’s Public Service Prize for his dedication to public education.
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